Autism Blog Ring

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Special needs kids in a Michigan charter school work out first before coming to class and seem to be behaving better in school. "Kindergartners through sixth-graders with learning disabilities, speech impairments, autism and other special needs spend 30 minutes four times each week at Gymco, a 15,000-square-foot fitness center next to the charter school, 4120 Camelot Ridge Dr. SE off East Paris Avenue.The school's occupational therapist, some classroom aides and Gymco staff oversee the morning workouts."We strongly believe that certain movement activities stimulate the brain in certain ways," Principal David King said. "Students are able to do significantly better both academically and behaviorally for the rest of the day."That's true for Ryan, whose interaction with fellow students is more positive and less aggressive than a year ago, second-grade teacher Mary Donaldson said. And he comes to class ready to work."Full article here.Cool idea.

This New York Times Op-Ed piece brings up a good point about the Combating Autism Act - while it may do enormous good for the generation to come, families with children with autism need help NOW. some choice quotes:"In America, you have to be lucky or rich to get proper care for your young autistic child. ""If we do not help these children, we are essentially condemning them to a lifetime of disability, unemployment and, for many, institutionalization. On human grounds, this is tragic. But it’s also bad economics. The few hundred thousand dollars needed to do intensive early intervention for four or five years — while a lot — is only one-tenth the expected cost of supporting someone for a lifetime on the dole.""Insurance companies and others often deny coverage by arguing that treatment methods are experimental, but that assertion no longer holds water. Studies now show that 40 percent to 50 percent of toddlers undergoing intensive Applied Behavior Analysis, one of the best-known methods, can be mainstreamed in regular classrooms without personal aides by the time they reach school age. (The figure is close to zero for children not given special care.) Most of the other 50 percent to 60 percent make notable progress too.""Once the Combating Autism Act is passed, and we hold out hope for the next generation, it is time to rescue the children who already are afflicted. Our options range from mandating that insurance companies cover therapies documented to work, to trumpeting the example of places that do provide coverage in the hope others will follow, to expanding autism Medicaid waivers.The autism community is encouraged by the recent attention to this profound set of disabilities. But as a nation, we have been letting down 25,000 more children every year. Good will is not enough."

Saturday, December 30, 2006

I have been home this holiday week with my family, so posting has been difficult. Also, I missed this letter in "Dear Abby".A small excerpt: "My problem is, Todd is so open with how he feels that he comes across as being rude, argumentative and disrespectful. He tells me that he's not trying to be, that he's just voicing his opinion and how he feels -- and that should not be wrong. In some ways, my son is right. But trying to teach him that there's a time and place for his opinions has proven extremely difficult."Here is Abby's response:"DEAR FEELING LOST AND GUILTY: Explain that honesty is a virtue -- unless it is used as a club to hurt others. Diplomacy is a skill that has to be learned. There is a time and place for everything, and before your son shoots off his mouth he should ask himself three questions: Is it kind? Is it helpful? Is it true? Instruct him that he needs to apply that rule to his interactions with his teachers and contemporaries.If the young man is unable to do that, he could benefit by being evaluated by a licensed mental health professional because he may need therapy or coaching in social skills."

"Here I go, sounding like an old fogy, but "Feeling Lost and Guilty" (11/5), who said she and her loudmouthed, snotty son are "best friends," has brought her problem on herself. The No. 1 problem of parents today is that they try to be friends with their children rather than parents. Back when I was his age, parents were parents to their children -- not friends. There is a difference!"Abby writes:DEAR DISAPPOINTED: You are correct in saying that some parents shirk their responsibility by refusing to be firm with their children as well as responsible role models. However, before painting all parents of children with social problems with the same broad brush, please read on:DEAR ABBY: Thank you for advising the mother of "Todd," the teen who doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut, to seek an evaluation. If the boy has a problem with empathy, it could be that he has Asperger's syndrome, an increasingly more common form of mild autism. This is a social disability, often more noticeable in the teenage years, when social expectations are more sophisticated. I should know -- I am a school psychologist and also the mother of a 13-year-old with Asperger's. -- MOM IN BERKELEY, CALIF.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

United Press International's PedMed is publishing a series of articles on autism, utilizing many different resources. The first installment looks at the many different types of autism."Although all show some degree of difficulty in socializing, communicating and imagining, like snowflakes, no two cases of autism are exactly alike, researchers say.Their newfound recognition of the condition's diverse complexity and multi-faceted nature carries over to the research field, where the seekers of causes and cures are starting to look for ways to subdivide the disorder and crack its armor of secrecy piece by piece. "

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

French scientists have identified genetic mutations in a small number of children with autism which could provide insight into the biological basis of the disorder.They sequenced a gene called SHANK3 in more than 200 people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which includes autism, and found mutations in the gene in members of three families.Reuters article here.

Friday, December 15, 2006

"[Amy] Shulman [special education teacher] liked the fact that her small group of autistic students, along with another class of students with mild intellectual disabilities, helped educate the "mainstream" students."We see the difference — it's making (other students) stop and realize they are a part of the school community." "

"Consider the child who likes his routine. Consider the child with autism, sensory integration, or other neurological challenges. The hullabaloo and the expectations of the season only accentuate the very real stresses that exist for these children.""Stress sneaks up on us, and as a result we often don't even realize it's taking its toll. Kids never say, ‘Gee, Mom or Dad, I'm really hurting.’ Instead they throw tantrums, hit their siblings or the neighbor kids, forget their homework, start having toileting accidents... complain of headaches and stomachaches and refuse to sleep in their own bed or go upstairs alone.""And to make matters worse, 90 percent of their stress is tied to our own."Children sense our tension. We compound it with disruptions in routines, sleep deprivation, and all sorts of poor eating adventures. And, though we certainly don’t set out to, we put pressure on them, too. They know they are supposed to be happy and they are troubled when the party that is supposed to be fun is really very trying. They know they are supposed to behave especially well in front of Great Aunt Hilda and instead they have a total meltdown."

The essay also offers some good advice, like limit television, preserve nighttime rituals, make sure your children are getting enough sleep - stuff we know, but might forget during this busy time.

A Saginaw, Michigan school system has set up a peer mentor programs for kids on the spectrum. Full article here."There are social skills that peers can teach and adults can't...These are the skills that are so critical in life, to get jobs and have relationships."Also cool? Some mentors have siblings with autism. So they get to share what they know and be a positive influence. And this quote from the article really makes you think:"I've given presentations to every grade level about autism and children have come up to me after each and said they hadn't known what it was," [Amy J.] Idzior, [ the district's autism coordinator] said. "They said they would have acted differently if they'd known. They seemed really sad and kind of disappointed in the adults for not explaining it before."

Friday, December 08, 2006

In case you hadn't heard...Congress passed the $945 million dollar "Combating Autism Act"

MSNBC says, "The focus? Everything from early diagnosis, to breakthrough treatments, to possible environmental factors that may cause autism."More details from CNN:"The Senate, acting a day after House passage, approved by voice legislation that authorizes $945 million over five years for autism research, screening and treatment. The bill, which goes to the president for his signature, would increase federal funding on autism by 50 percent.The legislation provides the National Institutes of Health with a list of possible research areas related to autism spectrum disorder, including an examination of whether the alarming increase in autism diagnoses is caused by environmental factors."

Thursday, November 30, 2006

An intermediate school in Staten Island, NY offers a program for 16 students with Aperger's. They attend classes with the general population, and have a room (nicknamed the "Tap Room")they can visit during the lunch hour if the cafeteria is too intense. The room also serves as a tutorial center and test taking site."The students with Asperger's share a paraprofessional between them, who is there largely to keep them focused and on track with the rest of the class. Their two District 75 teachers provide tutoring, homework modification, and other individualized needs in the Tap room, but the goal is to keep the students with their general education peers for as long as possible throughout the day. ""Kathleen Boyer credits her 12-year-old son Declan's increased happiness and maturity on the fact that he's modeling himself after well-performing students while getting the behavioral support from teachers who are attuned to his needs.[The teachers] understand that there are going to be things about school that are going to be rough for our kids, she said.While the parents are thrilled with the program, they were, until recently, anxious about whether it would be expanded into high school, where there is currently no service that caters specifically to Asperger's syndrome.The only other public school program on the Island serves eight children in kindergarten at PS 4 in Arden Heights with nestled classes, which integrates them with their general education peers.Department of Education officials have given assurances that there will be a program for ninth graders beginning in September 2007, but they have yet to name a school to house it. "

This brief article by columnist Julie Berry of the Metrowest Daily News (Massachusetts) gave me a chuckle, and may helped to remind me that my son really is trying hard to do his best." I keep believing that if we could just get him to focus more, to pay better attention, then he'd understand more. The capacity is in there somewhere. If only he'd apply himself ... I've had to let go of thinking that if only he'd apply himself he'd catch up to his peers. It does him great injustice, because he does apply himself. He works himself raw trying to figure out how to get through a day. He marches through middle school doors each morning even though he can't navigate the social waters swirling around him. "

Friday, November 24, 2006

The November 27th issue of Newsweek has a cover story entitled "What Happens When They Grow Up" with related articles as well.Link to cover story here.Related article on research into the causes of autism here.Graphic: Unlocking the Secrets of Autism here.

This article highlights the discomfort many children and adults go through this time of year when faced with situations involving foods outside of their very limited array of acceptable choices. It mentions two web sites that might be of some help:

Saturday, November 18, 2006

"...the idea that a child with autism is the result of the unique mixing of genes from parents who share a common feature sits uncomfortably with those who want to believe the cause of autism is purely environmental. But I believe the preliminary evidence in support of the theory warrants further research. We stand to gain valuable insight into the cause of autism; and given the links between autism and the capacity to systemize, a trait that has helped humans to dominate the planet, we stand to gain a better understanding of human nature."Full article here.

"Most of Judith Kerem's clients are excellent timekeepers. She says that they rarely take time off sick, are very dedicated to their jobs and are highly professional. Richard Bremmer agrees: "There are certainly advantages to having someone with Asperger's in the workplace. They are reliable, punctual, they are meticulous in their work and leave no stone unturned, they are very loyal, and all these things come as part of the package."There are so many young people with Asperger's, but many are ignored and not given a chance to succeed. But they can flourish and grow."

Friday, November 17, 2006

A group of kids with AS join a competition to create programmable Lego robots. They also learn how to work together. Sounds challenging but worth it!" 'Legos generally are reliable,' said Karen DeCarlo, “They always go together.” She said both her her sons, Zachary, who has AS, and Nick, who has sensory-integration disorder, which leaves him easily distracted, love Legos.“There’s a huge amount of creativity with these kids, so I think Legos satisfy the need to create,” she said, but they also meet Zachary and Nick’s “need to conform to rules.”“When they first started they were all little independent bodies,” DeCarlo said. Months later, there are still independent bodies running around the room in Arlington’s Langston Recreation Center, where the team has been meeting, but they also cluster into pairs and trios to work on different elements of the project, such as adjusting the robot’s programming on an Apple computer, tweaking the pusher arms of the robot itself, or calibrating a crane to receive its cargo of a dump truck and hoist it into the air. There are still clashes - with another personality, a recalcitrant Lego device, or simply with a difficult-to-negotiate world - but there is little notice paid to the outbursts. For the most part, the children allow one another to be themselves. “They seem rude,” DeCarlo said. “But they don’t offend each other.”She sees all of the children are learning valuable skills besides Lego construction. “They need to have social experiences: how to work together, how to solve problems, how to continue when someone has an anxiety attack.”Karen Gorman said she is learning too. “It’s been a really hard thing for the parents to pull back and let them do their own thing, let them make their own mistakes, let them fix their mistakes.”She said she’d tried to put her 11-year-old son Patrick on a soccer team, but it hadn’t worked out. Both she and Patrick had struggled to fit in with people who didn’t understand how Patrick’s behavior was altered by his perception of the world. “The level of anxiety is so much lower when we’re working in a group that’s so similar to each other,” Gorman said. “If one of our kids has a meltdown, it’s okay, we know how to handle it.”

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Boston University has launched a pilot program to examine options for students with Asperger's Syndrome, an Autism spectrum disorder commonly overlooked on college campuses...The program, developed by BU Disability Services Clinical Director Lorraine Wolf in collaboration with the University of Minnesota and the University of Connecticut School of Law, will evaluate ways students with Aspergers can treat its symptoms.Article here. [You may have to register with their site.]

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

This article is a nice, inspiring profile of two mothers who wrote a book about parenting children with autism. "Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum: Unexpected Lessons We Have Learned" by Ann Palmer and Maureen Morrell, shares the perspectives of one parent with a high functioning child and one parent with a child with severe autism." 'There's a tendency, especially nowadays, to branch off," Palmer says. "Parents of kids who are high-functioning feel like they don't need to be around those who are more challenged."That's a mistake.' "

Monday, November 06, 2006

The New York Times publishes an article on Asperger's [registration required - available for only a limited time for free]. The article appears in the Education section and covers efforts by various colleges to accomodate the needs of students with Asperger's. It's fascinating reading.Here are some notable excerpts:

"Unable to navigate social intricacies, many such students once decided to forego college; or, isolated and depressed, they left before graduating. They bring a host of tricky issues to classrooms, dorms and the dating scene. “I can’t emphasize how difficult college is for these kids,” says Dania Jekel , executive director of the Asperger’s Association of New England. “Many are going to college and they really aren’t ready. We’ve had cases where a parent hasn’t known for an entire semester that the kid hasn’t attended class and is flunking every class.”"Colleges are devising programs that try to integrate students on the spectrum into the academic and social fabric of the campus. The Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County, in a joint program with a state agency and a local school, has hired a special-education teacher to help students organize their time and assignments and improve the skills that are second nature to most, like how much space goes between two people in a conversation or how to make gentle eye contact.At Keene State College, in New Hampshire, fellow students act as “social navigators.” Their assignment: change their charges’ “outsider” status by introducing them to their friends. The mentors get $10 an hour (and sometimes course credit in psychology) by helping students on the spectrum make small talk, date and get consent at every level of romantic advancement."At Marshall University, the West Virginia Autism Training Center operates a program in which graduate students work daily with students with Asperger’s, reviewing assignments, helping with time management and teaching classroom etiquette. They take the students on field trips to Wal-Mart, to restaurants and to the movie theater to let them practice social skills. Bottom line for parents: $6,200 a year."[Lisa] King [a disability specialist at the University of Minnesota] sees these interventions as “the minimum that we can do” for academically qualified students. Musing, she takes it a step further: “We would provide an interpreter to a hard-of-hearing person. Why don’t we provide an interpreter for somebody with Asperger’s?” And that’s not far from what some parents are seeking. One mother wanted her son to have 24/7 access to all staff and faculty, says Barbara Roberts, manager of M.I.T.’s disability services; the request was denied. Families of more capable students hire coaches — psychologists, speech therapists, specialed teachers and graduate students — for fees ranging from $30 to $100 an hour.""“The Asperger’s population is much bigger than we think it is,” according to Larry Powell, manager of disability services at Carnegie Mellon. “But students aren’t disclosing that. It’s kind of like, if you build it they will come. If we could put together systems that would adequately support these students, word would get around and more students would disclose it and would come. One of my issues is that I am an office of one with 264 students.”"

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Canadian documentary filmmaker turns the lens on her own family to record her son's life with Asperger syndrome."Autistic author Temple Grandin notes that likely autistics include everyone from Mozart to Carl Sagan. "If you got rid of all of the genes that make autism and Asperger, we'd have a very boring world," she says in the movie. "A little bit of abnormality is needed."Adds [filmmaker Marianne] Kaplan: "The halls of academia are filled with people with Asperger syndrome, particularly in the areas of math and the sciences. Adam can have a productive life. He talks. He communicates. He's in the world. He goes to school."The problem is the disability is still often stigmatized by other students and even some teachers."

Refreshingly jargon-free explanation of a current theory for autism: "A growing number of scientists believe autism may be caused by a lack of coordination in the brain."Some people think that autism is a disruption of social function," says Marcel Just of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. "But I think it's much more widespread. It's a disruption of many kinds of behaviors that require good cortical coordination."For example, a conversation requires some areas of the brain to produce words. At the same time, Just says, other parts need to assess whether the listener understands those words. If those areas don't coordinate, there's no conversation.Just says important skills require more than one part of the brain to work together."It's like the Internet," he says. "It's not one place. It's not Los Angeles. It's not Zurich. It's the network."Michael Murias of the University of Washington presented a study on brain coordination. It compared 18 adults who have autism spectrum disorder with 18 typical adults.All of them had electrodes attached to their scalps. Murias says the experiment itself was pretty easy: "We just instructed them to close their eyes and relax."Then Murias and his team measured brain waves called alpha waves to see whether certain areas in the brain were communicating. In people with autism, they weren't -- at least not very well."The degree of communication within the brain was diminished," Murias says. "Particularly within the frontal lobes and particularly between the frontal lobes and the rest of the brain."Murias says that's important because the frontal lobes are involved in so-called "executive functions," which help us recognize another person's intentions and avoid antisocial behavior. But only when the frontal lobes are connected to other parts of the brain.In autism, the problem appears to be with the brain's connecting cables.Those cables are contained in what scientists call white matter. Marcel Just, who has been studying white matter using a technique called diffusion-tensor imaging, says he's found that "the quality of the white matter is lower in autism. It's less coherently organized."

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Slate has been publishing comments posted by their readers (referred to as "The Fray") reacting to their staffer Gregg Easterbrook's articles on the possible link between television viewing and autism, here and here. Easterbrook trumpets the Cornell study linking tv watching to autism. Here are some interesting comments (they are listed on the Slate page after the date October 17):

Easterbrook consistently refers to the increase in autism that begins "around 1980, about the same time cable television and VCRs became common". If Easterbrook had done his homework he would have found that 1980 was also the year the diagnosis of "Autism" actually became a diagnostic entry in its own right in the DSM-III. It was reclassified from being part of "psychotic" disorders (like schizophrenia) to having a specific heading in "developmental" disorders. Furthermore, in 1980's the 'autism spectrum' (autism, PDD-NOS, and the newly-minted Asperger's syndrome) definitions were changed or created to include persons with normal range IQ, and less severe symptoms. All of these changes to diagnosis would significantly impact the makeup of the population called "autism spectrum disorders" (ASD)-- sometimes just called "autism" by the media. (to the confusion of many readers). All of these changes coincided with the increase in television-watching, but (am i going out on a limb here?) weren't caused by television. […]

And here's another:

Families that were early adopters of Cable were better off financially than families that did not get cable until years later. We know that middle and upper middle class parents are more likely to take their children to the doctor more often and to pursue possible health issues until they get an answer. In other words, having cable has NOTHING to do with CAUSING autism. It is simply something that financially secure families are more likely to have and those same families are more likely to get a diagnosis for their children.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

In a paper to be presented at a conference of the National Bureau of Economic Research, Oct. 20, in Cambridge, Mass., the authors reviewed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey on TV viewership rates among children and compared it with data from the National Climactic Data Center, which looks at the amount of precipitation communities receive. This analysis showed that children from rainy counties watch more television. When autism rates were then compared between rainy and drier counties, the relationship between high precipitation and levels of autism was positive."We tested our hypothesis using existing, well-known data," said Michael Waldman, a professor of economics at Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management and a co-author of the research paper. "The analysis shows that early childhood television viewing could be an environmental trigger for the onset of autism and strongly points to the need for more research by experts in the field of autism."

Dr. Pat Levitt and colleagues at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, studied 743 families in which 1,200 family members were affected by autism spectrum disorders, which range from fully disabling autism to Asperger's syndrome.They found a single mutation in a gene called MET, which is known to be involved in brain development, regulation of the immune system and repair of the gastrointestinal system. All of these systems can be affected in children with autism.Full article here.

Monday, October 16, 2006

In eighth grade, Josh wrote an essay about being different. His teacher liked it so much, she suggested he send it to National Public Radio for its series, "This I Believe." NPR liked it, too, so he gets to read his essay during the "All Things Considered" news show.Article here.Josh's essay, with a photo, is here.I had to include this because my son is crazy for Godzilla - among other things - too.

"For children with developmental delays, early recognition and quick help can make a lifetime of difference. But the state is proposing that some families pay thousands more for that help because the rising number of children in need have overwhelmed the budget.The federal government mandates that states offer early intervention services for infants and toddlers -- from birth to age 3 -- with disabilities. The services are provided not only to children with autism, but to those with hearing impairments, mental retardation, cerebral palsy and a variety of other disorders that cause their development to fall behind.The federal government provides some funds, with states and families making up the rest.The problem is the need and cost have escalated dramatically.Double the number of children -- 13,788 -- were referred to the New Jersey program in fiscal 2006, which ended June 30, compared with six years earlier. Each child referred is evaluated. As of July, 8,815 children -- including 932 in Bergen and 493 in Passaic -- were receiving services.At the same time, the cost of services has increased to an average of $100 an hour. This year, the Legislature allocated $78 million, up from $22 million in 2000. But even with the budget increase, officials are anticipating a $13 million shortfall.To help close the budget gap, lawmakers have directed that the share paid by families be doubled to $6 million a year.The state Health Department is accepting comments on the proposal through the end of October.Voice your opinionThe state is accepting written comments on the proposed increases in family contributions for early intervention. They can be sent to:Terry Harrison, Part C coordinatorNew Jersey Early Intervention SystemP.O. Box 36450 East State St.Trenton, NJ 08625-0364Email: Terry.Harrison@doh.state.nj.usFax: (609) 292-0296The comments should include: Name, title, address and telephone number, concerns or support about the proposal, and recommendations."Full article here.Additional information here.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Do you know a child or youth with a disability who has made outstanding achievements? Then nominate him or her for a ...Yes I Can! AwardThe Foundation for Exceptional Children established the Yes I Can! International Awards Program in 1981 to acknowledge the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; overcome barriers caused by public misconceptions; encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential; and increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities.

Deadline is November 20th. More information on how to nominate someone here.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

"We argue that there will be no single (genetic or cognitive) cause for the diverse symptoms defining autism. We present recent evidence of behavioral fractionation of social impairment, communication difficulties and rigid and repetitive behaviors. Twin data suggest largely nonoverlapping genes acting on each of these traits. At the cognitive level, too, attempts at a single explanation for the symptoms of autism have failed. Implications for research and treatment are discussed."

Three psychiatrists have written an opinion piece arguing for researchers to look at autism as a more complex, less monolithic thing. Here is a cogent summary, courtesy of MindHacks, and here is the full-text of the article.

TRAVEL WITH AUTISM launches this October, providing a new concept for the autism community: vacations specifically designed for families with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. TWA's mission is threefold: (1) to provide an appropriate and safe vacation where families with individuals with ASD can simply have fun together (2) to provide an environment where multiple families with individuals with ASD can interact in a holiday atmosphere (3) to provide an opportunity for individuals with ASD to stretch themselves by learning new skills.

Monday, October 09, 2006

The Centers for Disease Control have announced a $5.9 million study in six states to try to find the causes of autism.The study, the next of the agency's promised initiatives to look more closely at the disorder, would look for factors that may put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities, the CDC said.It said 2,700 children aged 2 to 5 and their parents would take part in the five-year study. Researchers will look for infections or abnormal responses to infections in the child or parents, genetic factors, the mother's reproductive history, hormone levels, potential gastrointestinal problems in the child and other factors. Brief article here.

I briefly looked at the CDC autism site, which looks pretty interesting, but did not find any specific mention of this new study.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Here is a profile of the author who wrote a biography of Charles Richter, of the famed earthquake measurement scale."People who knew him described him as a walking contradiction. The reason I'm sure in my bones that he had Asperger's (syndrome) is that it reconciles the apparent contradictions.He wasn't unfriendly or uninterested in teaching. He yearned to connect with people and share his wisdom. He was just sorely lacking in social skills. He couldn't deal well with the give-and-take of a classroom situation or a scientific conference. But he was in his element when a reporter asked a question and he was free to expound. The experts will tell you that such stiff, one-sided, pedantic conversations are a classic hallmark of Asperger's."

Friday, September 29, 2006

Singer/song writer Jamie Manning has an album of songs called "What Remains" that tells the stories of parents raising children with autism. You can find out more about it and hear song clips here.

Warning - these songs might make you cry. They are heartfelt and beautiful. I was particularly moved by his version of "The Water Is Wide". When I took my son to Music Together classes, we used to sing this song and it always gave me a lump in my throat. I think it has special meaning for parents of a special needs child. Manning has also added his own extra lyrics to his version.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

A new law protecting autistic patients in NY state from insurance discrimination was enacted on Thursday."State regulated insurance companies who provide coverage for hospital, surgical, or medical care will now include coverage for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions otherwise covered by the policy solely because the treatment is provided to diagnose or treat autism, according to the law. In addition, autism will now be classified as a physical condition rather than a mental disorder."Brief article here.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Friday, September 08, 2006

The National Institute of Mental Health has announced the start of three new studies on autism:*One study will define differences--both biological and behavioral--in autistic children with diverse developmental histories.*In another study, NIMH researchers will examine the use of the antibiotic minocycline to measure its usefulness in treating regressive autism.*The third study seeks to address the widespread but unproven theory that autism may be treated successfully by chelation therapy, which seeks to remove heavy metals from the blood.

News of a study which found that a small subgroup of children with ASD have abnormally low cholesterol levels (hypocholesterolemia), leading researchers to believe cholesterol may play a role in the cause of some cases of the disorder. The children's low cholesterol levels were apparently due to a limited ability to make cholesterol.

This article has some specific details about a recent study of more than 300,000 men and women reporting for the draft in Israel. It found that men in their 40s are nearly six times more likely than men in their 20s to father children with autism spectrum disorders.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

California teen Austin Green won the National Lacrosse League's Scoop n' Shoot timed skills competition in Buffalo, N.Y. He beat out hundreds of other young men ages 12 to 14 from across the country by making six shots in the fastest time: a speedy 17 seconds.Article here [site registration required].

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

The singer of the 1979 hit "Cars" has Asperger's.While Numan was having his artistic woes, bands like the Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters were covering his songs and Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson were citing him as an inspiration. He was also diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a neurobiological disorder named for Hans Asperger, who studied young boys with normal intelligence who exhibited autistic-like behavior and insufficient social skills. People with Asperger's have a normal IQ and many exhibit exceptional talent in a specific area."I realized there was a reason for the way I see the world, which was a relief," Numan says. "I'm more comfortable around machines than people. When I was younger, there were a lot of misunderstandings because I didn't know how to deal with people. I'd do something that was perfectly understandable to me, but people found it offensive. Finding out I had a condition let me focus on what I was doing that annoyed people and helped me change the way I relate, even if I had to learn the new behavior in a mechanical manner."

In New Jersey:The Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series is a community and continuing education program provided for Division of Developmental Disabilities staff, community provider agencies, people with disabilities, and family members to enhance their knowledge and skills in innovative approaches and state of the art practices for people with developmental disabilities. A variety of topics are offered each fall and spring.More info here.

From ScienceDaily:A recent study provides evidence that autism affects the functioning of virtually the entire brain, and is not limited to the brain areas involved with social interactions, communication behaviors, and reasoning abilities, as had been previously thought. The study, conducted by scientists in a research network supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found that autism also affects a broad array of skills and abilities, including those involved with sensory perception, movement, and memory.The findings, appearing in the August Child Neuropsychology, strongly suggest that autism is a disorder in which the various parts of the brain have difficulty working together to accomplish complex tasks.The study was conducted by researchers in the Collaborative Program of Excellence in Autism (CPEA), a research network funded by two components of the NIH, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Thursday, August 10, 2006

"The last word: believe. That car guy Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are usually right.” Believe that you can make a difference for me. It requires accommodation and adaptation, but autism is an open-ended disability. There are no inherent upper limits on achievement. I can sense far more than I can communicate, and the number one thing I can sense is whether or not you think I “can do it.” Expect more and you will get more. Encourage me to be everything I can be, so that I can stay the course long after I’ve left your classroom."

"A collaboration [in Pennsylvania] among Neumann College, Ellyn Institute, and the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (the NEW-S project) is attracting national attention. For a full year, the three institutions have been working together to meet the needs of special education students, especially those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in two public schools. Recently, members of the NEW-S team presented their work at the 2006 National Autism Conference in State College.The resulting collaboration brought public, private and higher education together in a project that provides not just abstract consultation and advice, but daily on-site classroom support for ASD students at The Kids Place (the W-S district-wide kindergarten center) and Swarthmore Rutledge School. A NEW-S team member is present every day of the school week in different classes to observe students, create learning strategies, and serve as a resource for school district personnel, who provide language and speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and social skills training in addition to the regular elementary curriculum.Groups at both schools hold regular meetings to implement adjustments to individualized educational plans and review progress toward identified goals.Feil calls NEW-S "a landmark program" because of the scope of services (20 children with special needs at the two schools), the significant amount of in-service training provided for faculty and staff during the summer of 2005, and the daily presence of a team member in the schools."Full article here.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Here is an article in USA Today reporting on a study that suggests that ultrasound waves can affect fetal brain development.

"[Pasko] Rakic's paper said that while the effects of ultrasound in human brain development are not yet known, there are disorders thought to be the result of misplacement of brain cells during their development."These disorders range from mental retardation and childhood epilepsy to developmental dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia," the researchers said.In Rakic's study, pregnant mice were exposed to ultrasound for various amounts of time ranging from a total exposure of 5 minutes to 420 minutes. After the baby mice were born their brains were studied and compared with those of mice whose mothers had not been exposed to ultrasound.The study of 335 mice concluded that in those whose mothers were exposed to a total of 30 minutes or more, "a small but statistically significant number" of brain cells failed to grow into their proper position and remained scattered in incorrect parts of the brain. The number of affected cells increased with longer exposures."

Friday, August 04, 2006

Families Online welcomes new monthly columnist Christopher Auer, author of Parenting a Child With A Sensory Processing Disorder. Auer's column is called "Exceptional Families With Exceptional Kids. His first column talks about back to school anxiety -- for parents, as well as children, and offers some concrete advice for starting the year off with clear communication between families and schools.

"At the very least, kids with specialized minds deserve toleration and support. And what we find, is, very often their strengths are being neglected while everybody tries to plug up holes or leaks in their minds. And that's a shame because when they grow up they are going to make a living on their strengths."

"I think the labels can be a self-fulfilling prophecy -- if you decide you are pathological, you can become increasingly pathological."

"I'm very controversial," Levine said, "which is what I always wanted to be. They disagree with me. There are several complaints about me -- the most common is that Mel Levine is right in all of his thinking and he's totally impractical. Schools need labels and insurance companies need labels and we have to lump kids together so we can do research on them."

The old state code required teachers to have six credits in special education courses before they could be eligible for special education certification and begin to teach special education students.But with a statewide shortage of special education teachers, many school districts were instead asking the state for emergency certifications to allow the teachers to begin teaching before they complete the courses.The new code allows the teachers to begin teaching special education students and enter the alternate route special education certification program simultaneously. State officials said that eliminates the need for emergency certifications and assures that the teachers are taking the required coursework while they teach.

"...the season in which a person is born reflects their exposure to certain types of infectious agents in the womb. An example is whether their mother caught the flu during flu season. Nutrition could also vary throughout the year, he added.

snip

[Dr. Abraham Reichenberg of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and colleagues] looked at Jewish men and women born in Israel during the early 1980s who were assessed by the Israeli Draft board at the age of 17. There was a total of 311,169 people, including 211 with autism or related disorders.

The researchers point out that a person with autism in the group they evaluated would be likely to truly meet diagnostic criteria for the condition, especially since the individuals in the study grew up in an era where the diagnosis of autism was much more rare than it is today.The researchers found no link between the month a person was born and autism risk. "In light of the present and other recent findings, it would seem logical that future attempts to identify an association between birth months and risk for autistic spectrum disorders should be exercised with caution," they conclude.SOURCE: American Journal of Psychiatry, July 2006."

Thursday, August 03, 2006

News from Science Daily on a study from a team at the University of Washington, headed by Gerard Schellenberg:" "It is highly unlikely that there is only one gene responsible for autism," said Schellenberg. "There may be four to six major genes and 20 to 30 others that might contribute to autism to a lesser degree."If an individual only gets three high-risk variants of these genes, it could mean a less-severe form of autism. And because autism is rarer in females, it may take more risk genes for a female to have autism. There also is the possibility that there might be a biological difference in autism for females versus males," he said."What is meaningful is that we have found evidence for two genetic subtypes of autism, male versus female and early versus late onset," added Geraldine Dawson, a professor of psychology. "This is a critical piece of information. With Alzheimer's disease research, one big breakthrough was segregating the late and early onset forms of the disease, and this led to important genetic discoveries."-snip-The search for autism genes is part of a long-term Autism Center effort to uncover the genetic and neurobiological causes of autism. To find regions of the human genome that contain autism genes, the researchers scanned the DNA of 169 families that had at least two siblings who met the strict criteria for autism. They also scanned the DNA of another 54 families that, in addition to having individuals with strictly defined autism, also included members who had less severe forms of the disorder, such as Asperger syndrome."We have been working almost 10 years to get to this point," said Schellenberg. "If we can find and confirm that a particular gene is involved in autism the field will explode. We have to find a gene so that molecular biology can be defined and we can understand what's inside autism. Until that happens, we are dancing on the outside." "

Please also note the following:The research is part of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Program of Excellence in Autism. The research is ongoing and families who have more than one child of any age with an autism spectrum disorder who are interested in participating in the UW genetics study can call toll free 1-800-994-9701.

Monday, July 24, 2006

This paper reports on a study that looked at how children with Asperger's are educated in southern New Jersey.A sample of 12 students ranging in age from 8-13, was drawn from 9 public schools and 3 private elementary schools in the South Jersey area. Findings of the study indicate that a small teacher to student ratio was the most successful form of academic intervention, while the behavior modification system in conjunction with positive teacher attitudes was the most successful form of behavioral intervention. Successful forms of social skills intervention were sparse, which indicates a need for further exploration in that area. The report closes with teaching recommendations.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

On the surface, this essay is an overview of recent books written mostly by parents about their children with autism. But it is also a criticism of many of the popular "causes" and "cures" for autism. I know it is sure to be controversial, and I usually try to stay out of this fray. But I think the essay is worth reading, no matter which side of the "war" you are on. It pains me to see parents of children with autism divided over these issues. We should be sharing our insights, resources, laughter and tears and the political infighting reduces us all. The last two paragraphs say it so well:

" 'Acceptance is all’ writes Charlotte Moore, whose account of her two autistic sons George and Sam has recently been republished in paperback. Perhaps this is why that, of all the parental accounts, hers is the one in which the children themselves emerge most vividly as personalities, as children with autism rather than as the autistic children of parents preoccupied with their own predicament. Acceptance does not mean falsely celebrating the different individuality of the autistic child, nor does it mean adopting a fatalistic posture that nothing can be done. But it does mean parents and others accepting and loving the autistic child as another human being, and it means accepting that the quest for a miracle cure is not likely to be helpful for their autistic child, for any other children they might have (Ollie and Daniel, like Joe and George and Sam, and my son, all have long-suffering siblings), or for themselves.Parents feel sadness and anger when their child is diagnosed as autistic, but in time they usually stop railing at the world and direct their energies into strategies that will benefit their child and their families. Campaigns that channel parents’ energies into the pursuit of wonder cures, or into futile confrontations with doctors, scientists or other professionals, or into litigation over vaccines, offer illusory hopes - and targets for blame and recrimination. At best they divert and dissipate already overstretched parental energies. At worst they encourage an enduring rage that is likely to compound family difficulties, to intensify isolation and lead ultimately to demoralisation. "

Thursday, July 20, 2006

From Science Daily:Researchers at the University of California, Davis, M.I.N.D. Institute have discovered that the brains of males with autism have fewer neurons in the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in emotion and memory. The study, published in the July 19 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, is the first neuroanatomical study to quantify a key difference in the autistic amygdala. David Amaral, research director of the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute, and former graduate student Cynthia Mills Schumann counted and measured representative samples of neurons in the amygdala of nine postmortem brains of males who had autism and 10 postmortem brains of males who did not have autism. "

Here's how they got the samples:“Back when these studies were conducted, it wasn't easy to acquire the brain of a deceased person who just had autism,” Amaral explained. “We are fortunate now to have the Autism Tissue Program, funded by the National Alliance for Autism Research and the National Institutes of Health. With their help, we were able to analyze more than double the number of previously examined postmortem brains, none of which had seizure disorders or any major neurological disorder other than autism.”

This is just the tip of a rather large iceberg: “We're in the very early stages of understanding autism and its neurological pathologies. It's clearly a process with many steps, and at least we are now one step further...One possibility is that there are always fewer neurons in the amygdala of people with autism. Another possibility is that a degenerative process occurs later in life and leads to neuron loss. More studies are needed to refine our findings,” said Schumann.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

"I always knew I was different from other children, but it was not until I was eight or nine that I was aware of being lonely. I used to long to be normal but, because I tend to break things down, my sense of self was thousands of fragments of memories that I was trying to piece together. "

Autistic savant writes a memoir. This book has just been released in the United Kingdom and is not due out in the United States until January 2007.

Friday, July 07, 2006

This news wire article refers to a study in the Archives of General Psychiatry which reports that many young children first diagnosed with less severe conditions -- called pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) -- later have their diagnoses changed to autism.

"The researchers...followed 192 children referred for evaluation for possible autism before 36 months of age, plus 22 children with developmental delays between ages 13 and 35 months. At age 9, 172 of these children were available for reevaluation.According to their report in the Archives of General Psychiatry, the researchers found that at age 9, most of the changes in diagnosis were "associated with increasing certainty of classifications moving from ASD/PDD-NOS to autism."More than half of those initially diagnosed with PDD-NOS later met the criteria for autism, Lord's team indicates. Conversely, only one of 84 children diagnosed with autism at age 2 years was found to not have the condition at 9 years of age."

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

"I love the way my brain works, I always have and it's one of the things I can now admit to myself. I like the way I think in terms of numbers. I like the way I visualize things. I like the way most especially that I can bury myself in work that I love to a degree that makes everybody else in the world look at me and go, 'God! I wish I could do that.' No, I am not changing anything."

An editor at Entertainment Weekly shares a brief story about taking his children, one of whom has an ASD, to the movies. (I think a lot of us can relate to this - although my son really likes the movies, he always insists that we leave before the credits roll. For some unfathomable reason, he cannot stand to see that slow crawl of names.):

"Sue and I figure that now's as good a time as any to try a movie, and Cars is supposed to be pretty good. (Also, Finding Nemo is Sophie's favorite movie — actually, the only movie she'll watch the whole way through, repeating her favorite lines over and over — so maybe Pixar is our lucky charm.)We shuffled into the theater a little early, thinking that walking into a pitch-black room might be too sudden a shock for the kids. We grabbed four seats in the last row, prepared to dash if it wasn't going well. No popcorn: didn't feel like Heimlich-ing my kids for the first time in a movie theater.We were set, ready to go. The movie started...and Sophie couldn't have cared less. A few minutes in and she hopped off her chair, climbed onto Sue's lap, and sort of retreated into her own world. And she wasn't quiet about it either, snatches of dialogue from her favorite TV shows coming fast and furious.She wasn't ready for the movies, as we sort of expected. But, to our surprise, Luc was..."

I'm back from vacation - very busy at work, so posting may be spotty for the next several weeks. This article is making the rounds."Previous studies noted the presence of "trophoblast inclusions" -- an indicator of cellular abnormality -- in the placenta as a marker for Asperger Syndrome, an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine studied the placentas of 13 children diagnosed with ASD to determine if there was a similar marker.Compared to the placentas of 61 healthy children, the 13 placentas of Asperger-affected children were three times more likely to have trophoblast inclusions, the Yale team found."We knew that trophoblast inclusions were increased in cases of chromosome abnormalities and genetic diseases, but we had no idea whether they would be significantly increased in cases of ASD," study author Dr. Harvey J. Kliman, research scientist in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at Yale, said in a prepared statement. "These results are consistent with studies by others who have shown that ASD has a clear genetic basis," Kliman said.Results of the study are published in the June 26 online issue of Biological Psychiatry. The researchers said they expected to further examine the presence of trophoblast inclusions as an indicator of ASD in future studies, with a larger study base and more in-depth analysis."

This 2oo+ page book is available online. It was published in 2003 by Alberta Learning in Canada. Read a description here, and view the publication here. The intended audience is educators, but it also looks useful for parents.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Penn State is hosting the 2006 National Autism Conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, July 31 - August 4. Attendance is free for parents living in Pennsylvania and $50 for out of state parents. The list of speakers is here.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

I have been very disappointed with science.gov - most of the articles I find are definitely NOT free. In fact, the prices are outrageous! Here is a free one, though. It's so rare that I thought I should post it! It's about genetic mutations in people with ASDs. This sentence caught my eye,"Non-segregation within the pedigrees between the mutations and the ASD phenotype clearly suggest that the mutations alone are not responsible for the condition."Read the abstract here.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

1. Autism Supernanny Re-showABC announced that there will be a re-showing of the Supernanny featuring Dr. Lynn Koegel helping a family with a child with autism. The episode will air on ABC June 19th at 8:00 PM, EST.

2. On Tuesday, June 6th, 11:30 EST ABC's late night news program "Nightline" will present another installment in its series "Echoes of Autism." In the Tuesday night segment "My Brother's Keeper," Nightline correspondent John Donvan will examine the challenges faced by those often overlooked in the world of autism: siblings.

Friday, June 02, 2006

The website for the Organization for Autism Research is definietely worth checking out. They have a section devoted to families . I really like their page on research, which explains the types of research out there for all of us humanities majors whose knowledge of science is limited. I will definitely be delving deeper into this site for links to useful information.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

It was created by a parent of a child on the spectrum. Here's her description:

"Newly Diagnosed" covers understanding the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, getting an evaluation, choosing interventions, finding resources for education, support and advocacy, and updates from Autismvoice.No matter where you are on the journey, the resources and information contained in this course can be helpful for families of children with autism spectrum disorders.

Children on the Spectrum along with their Parents, Siblings, Friends, Caregivers are invited to kick back and have some fun at the Garden State Discovery Musuem (www.discoverymuseum.com).On July 19th from 6:00- 8:30 pm, The Subaru Center for Learning at the Garden State Discovery Musuem will be hostingOpen Arms: A Special Evening for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum.This FREE after-hours event will feature open play, discovery & a book signing. Come meet the editors of Voices from the Spectrum, Parents, Grandparents, Siblings, People with Autism and Professionals Share Their Wisdom, Drs. Cindy Ariel & Robert Naseef.

Please pre-register for this event by calling or e-mailing Jennifer Newman at (856) 424-1233, ext. 314 or onthego@discoverymuseum.com. Please include your name, contact info, and number of guests in emails.

You might want to pass these on to teachers at those IEP meetings!July 17 and 18 -Two day seminar presented by Douglass Developmental Disabilities CenterBest Practices in Functional Assessment and Developing EffectiveTreatments for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorders.Registration fee is $325 per person.9 AM -2:30 PM at the Busch Student Center of Rutgers University.For information, call 732-932-4500, ext.100 or 134.

Friday, May 26, 2006

"WrongPlanet is a web community designed for individuals (and parents of those) with Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and other PDDs. We provide a forum, where members can communicate with each other, an article section, where members may read and submit essays or how-to guides about various subjects, and a chatroom for real-time communication with other Aspies. Asperger's Syndrome, a pervasive development disorder, is a form of autism. People with Asperger's Syndrome usually have normal or above normal IQs. It is described as an inability to understand how to interact socially. "

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

This article touches on the agony of parents of kids with ASDs - always wondering - did we do enough - always second guessing our actions on behalf of our children.Here are some tidbits:

"Only in the last three years has government funding for autism research surpassed private funding. Parents have been the driving force. They are the lifetime advocates for their child. ...They have led and will continue to lead the way.”

" New Jersey Department of Education statistics show nearly 7,400 children with autism were eligible for special education services in 2005. In 2002, that number was just above 4,600. And a recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 5.5 children out of every 1,000 have been diagnosed nationwide. The CDC is conducting a 13-state study, which includes New Jersey, to determine if occurrence rates are on the rise."

"Early intervention is most important... The sooner ASDs are diagnosed, the more effective treatments are. Knowing that, many parents feel they're in a race against time. Specialist waiting lists in South Jersey can be six to 18 months. "

“They say these first years are critical. You lie awake at night asking, "Did we do enough, early enough? Did we waste too much time?' That's the hard part.”

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Here's an article about a teen with Asperger's who is committed to social justice. I wonder if the President will invite him to the White House? With all the hoopla over Jason M, let's not forget that kids with disabilities can do a lot more than shoot hoops.

"“Growing up with Asperger’s syndrome (a high-functioning form of autism) has been an exercise,” [Joel] Northam said, “but overcoming it helps strengthen my resolve.”...Northam’s goal is to make a difference in the lives of others. Northam is a magnet for social-justice issues, taking on causes such as food drives for hurricane evacuees, peer counseling on drug abuse and teen pregnancy through Team Engage, and building a house for a needy Mexican family during a spring break mission trip to Juarez. “I’m committed to social justice. I was taught we shouldn’t just go through life without leaving something behind,” Northam said. “I like helping people and knowing their concerns, and having a disability gives me the insight and the ability to relate to people.” “Joel’s activism extends far beyond lively classroom discussion on political matters; he is making a difference wherever he goes, living out by example the values and convictions he wants others to share,” said Bruce Casson, one of Northam’s teachers."

An Orthodox Jewish network for members of the tri-state area Orthodox community that have autism spectrum diagnoses (such as Asperger Syndrome, Autism, or PDD) has just been formed thanks to a generous grant from the IDT Telephone Corporation. Meetings will take place on the 2nd Thursday of every month (with the exception of October 2006, which will likely occur elsewhere in the month). Both men and women are welcome.

This article looks interesting. All I could see for free was the abstract:

J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2006 Apr;27(2 Suppl):S162-71. Elimination diets in autism spectrum disorders: any wheat amidst the chaff?Christison GW, Ivany K.1Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California 2Department of Psychiatry, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.ABSTRACT.: The use of complementary or alternative treatment approaches in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is increasing, and the most popular of such approaches are diets that eliminate either gluten or casein, or both. The popularity of these diets indicates a need for more rigorous research into their efficacy. Owing to significant methodological flaws, the currently available data are inadequate to guide treatment recommendations. The purpose of this review is to examine the available trials of gluten/casein diets in children with ASDs regarding the strength of their findings and also concerning points that may be useful in the design of future studies. Seven trials of these diets in ASD are critically reviewed; 6 of these were uncontrolled trials and 1 used a single-blind design. All reported efficacy in reducing some autism symptoms, and 2 groups of investigators also reported improvement in nonverbal cognition. Design flaws in all of the studies weaken the confidence that can be placed in their findings. Careful double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed to evaluate whether actual benefit undergirds the diets' popularity and to provide better guidance to clinicians and caregivers. The literature currently available suggests that diets eliminating both gluten and casein (rather than either alone) should be studied first and that outcome measures should include assessments of nonverbal cognition.

Autism Speaks Tri-State Lecture SeriesSaturday, May 20,The Sheraton Edison, 10 am - 1:20 pm(Just off exit 10 of the NJ Turnpike)There is no cost for this event, but pre-registration is required.PRE-REGISTER FOR LECTURE SERIES· 10 am - 10:50 Let's Face ItDr. James McPartland, Yale Child Study Center"I will discuss face processing in social development and how it informs our understanding of autism spectrum disorders. I will also describe our Let's Face It program, a game-based software platform that we have developed to improve children's ability to recognize and interpret human faces." · 11 am - 11:50 Social Attention in AutismDr. James McPartland, Yale Child Study Center"This talk will focus on the use of eye-tracking technology to investigate the ways individuals with autism see and construct their social world. It will also cover the implications that this line of research has for intervention." · 12 noon - 12:30 Lunch (no cost)· 12:30 - 1:20 Understanding Sensory Integration in Children with AutismTeal Benevides, MS, OTR/L, Thomas Jefferson University"I will discuss current and past research on sensory integration for children with autism and our current research at Thomas Jefferson University."

If you have any questions about the Tri-State Lecture Series, Edison, NJ, please call 888-777-6227 ext 15 or e-mail NewJersey@naar.org

FACES 3rd Annual Family Fun DaySunday May 21, 200612:00 pm - 4:00 pmEvent Location: Cape May County Park and Zoo For more information or to register pleasecall Isabelle at 609-822-1735. For directions call 609-465-5271.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Combating Autism Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) a program to provide information and education on autism and its risk factors to health professionals and the general public;and (2) the Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate autism related activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award grants or cooperative agreements to develop statewide autism screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and systems.Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants or cooperative agreements to provide technical assistance to state agencies to conduct applied autism research.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

"There is a full K-12 curriculum, complete with online lessons, CD-based lessons or paper-based lessons. There is a tutoring option, with over-the-phone or online tutors helping students and parents on a given subject. Students' work, although mainly corrected by parents, is sent in quarterly for a teacher review, where the work is scrutinized closely to make sure students aren't short-circuiting the system. Grading, transcripts and diplomas are provided through Bridgeway, accredited by all 50 states.

In addition, Bridgeway partners with the Essential Learning Institute (ELI) to provide unique educational support to students with learning disabilities. Working with parents, the learning block is isolated and an appropriate method of instruction is created to counter it.

"We find out how the student processes information inside his brain," Mr. Salzman explained in a recent interview. "Then we create a specific program for them for maximum learning efficiency." The program has helped children with dyslexia, autism, attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"Of the nearly 700 previously diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, we have found most had either a severe audial recall deficiency or a visual recall deficiency -- they can't remember what they heard or saw in the short-term memory area." The Bridgeway and ELI team works with the family to create a learning program, such as sensory integration training, that helps them overcome the block. "

They claim that "The team has been able to bring the vast majority of special learners up to full functioning through a combination of home-schooling courses and individualized learning programs. "

Here's information on a Johns Hopkins study which found that few Maryland and Delaware primary care pediatricians screen patients regularly for autism and autism-spectrum disorders (ASD) as part of their overall look at possible developmental delays.

Of the 255 pediatricians who participated in the study, 209 (82 percent) said they regularly screen their patients for general developmental delays, but only 20 of the 255 (8 percent) said they do so for ASD. Of those who do not screen routinely for ASD, almost two-thirds (62 percent) said they failed to do so because they weren't familiar with the screening tools.

Previous research suggests that another factor might be that many pediatricians do not feel well-trained in general developmental and behavioral issues, researchers say.Enhancement of residency training, complemented by introduction and training in ASD screening tools, might boost ASD screening in the general pediatric practice, dosReis added.

Almost half (47 percent) of the physicians who did not screen routinely said they preferred to send the child to a clinical specialist, whereas nearly one-third (32 percent) cited lack of time as a major reason for not screening. Of those who reported screening regularly for ASD, 90 percent said they were usually prompted to do so by parental concern and/or suspicion of ASD during routine examination.

Here is a summary of a study, which appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences which suggests that people with autism might not daydream the same way that other people do.

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to compare brain activity while at rest in a group of 15 people with autism spectrum disorders (including autism and related conditions such as Asperger's syndrome) and 14 people without autism or related disorders.

Researchers say activity in certain areas of the brain is suppressed while performing mentally demanding tasks, like solving a puzzle. But when a person is at rest or performing nonstimulating tasks, these areas become very active, triggering daydreams and other introspective thoughts.The scans showed that this type of daydreaming brain activity found in nonaustistic participants was missing in those with autism.Researchers say these self-directed thoughts are important for processing emotional and social issues. In fact, they found that the more socially impaired the autistic individuals were, the less of this brain activity they had.The researchers say the results of the study suggest that although some of the emotional and social symptoms found in people with autism seem to be associated with inability of this network to function properly, they cannot say that autism is caused by a neurological abnormality or vice versa.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey has a volunteer program called Helping Hands. It is an intergenerational program designed to provide families with social and emotional support, as well as much needed respite from the responsibilities of caring for a child with special needs.

The program targets children ranging in age from birth to 12 years who live in the Ocean County area. Senior volunteers (55+) will be recruited to form trusting and caring relationships with children with special needs and their families. Volunteers will share their experience and insight with families to help provide relief from stress and fellings of being overwhelmed by caring for children with special needs. Volunteers will reveive ongoing support and supervision and will also receive a stipend of $10.00 per visit.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

This forthcoming article in the journal Neurotoxicology seems to back up some of the claims in Richard Lathe's new book (see earlier post).

" Genetic studies to date have not uncovered genes of strong effect, but a move toward "genetic complexity" at the neurobiological level may not suffice, as evidence of systemic abnormalities (e.g. gastrointestinal and immune), increasing rates and less than 100% monozygotic concordance support a more inclusive reframing of autism as a multisystem disorder with genetic influence and environmental contributors. We review this evidence and also use a bioinformatic approach to explore the possibility that "environmentally responsive genes" not specifically associated with the nervous system, but potentially associated with systemic changes in autism, have not hitherto received sufficient attention in autism genetics investigations... Both our review and the bioinformatics exercise support the expansion of criteria for evaluating the relevance of genes to autism risk to include genes related to systemic impact and environmental responsiveness. This review also suggests the utility of environmental genomic resources in highlighting the potential relevance of particular genes within linkage regions. Environmental responsiveness and systems impacts consistent with system-wide findings in autism are thus supported as important considerations in identifying the numerous and complex modes of gene-environment interaction in autism."